The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-25
FOX RIVER ASSOCIATION.

this Illinois Association, was held last
week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs
day, at Unity Church, Oak Park. The
churches Of Chicago, Elgin, Sycamore,
Joliet, Englewood, Plainfield, Dixon,
and several others in the Association,
were we'll represented. The attend
ance was good throughout the meetings;
and the ladies of Miss Chapin's parish
entertained their guests with bountiful
and very pleasant hospitality.
Tuesday evening, the opening sermon
was preached by Rev. G. s. Nickerson,
of the Church of our Father, North
Chicago. Report says that the discourse
"was generously praised by all who list
tened to it,"
Wednesday morning at 8, a confer
ence meeting, one hour in length, was
led by F. G. Moss, of Chicago. At 10,
Col. j. S. Wilson, of Elgin, the Pres
ident of the Association, called the del
egates to order and formally opened
the session. In his remarks on assum-
ing the chair, he urged that the liberal
banner should be kept to the front.
The church should push itself to the
very front. He believed in mass meet
ings, and thought conventions would
be even more successful if not delegate
conventions. The cleTgymen, lay ymen,
and members should discuss spiritual
subjects and things essential to the
best success of the church in mass
meetings, where all could freely express
their opinions.
The views Of the President were
loudly applauded. Rev. A. II. Laing,
of Joliet, announced the death of the
former president of the Association, S.
0. Simonds, of Joliet, and spoke in fit
ting terms of his character as an earn
est worker and noble man. A COM
mittee of three was chosen to draft
suitable resolutions Of coincidence and
sympathy. AT IL, Rev. A. N. Alcott,
of Elgin, preached the "occasionaP'
sermon. The sermon was an interest
ing one throughout, and in every way
appropriate to the needs of the hour. 1t
was devoted to discussion of the Oppor-
tunities of the time for advancing the
faith of the Universalist church, and
urged zeal and enterprise in its behalf.
The sermon closed the morning exer-
cises.
AT 2, the afternoon session opened
with a discussion of christian Philan-
thropy" under various headings. 1.-The
Christian and the Waif" was omitted,
owing to the absence of Rev. w. F.
Small. Rev. A. H. Laing spoke earn
estly of 1.-The Christian and the Grim
inal, and was followed by Rev. j. Cole
man Adams, of Chicago, and Rev. DIR.
Balch, of Elgin. Rev. II. d. L. Web
ster, in the absence of Rev. Mary Garard,
discussed the topic, 1.-The Christian and
the Drunkard," as did also President
Wilcox.
A special meeting of the Universalist
Woman's Association OF Illinois, was
also held, at which Mrs. J. S. Wilcox
presided, and Mrs. L. II. Tabor, of
Chicago, read a paper on missionary
Work and What Of It?'' Mrs. E. H.
Rexford reported the receipt of 81 800
as the Associations share of the pro-
ceeds of the Kirmess, and resolutions
were thereupOn adopted, thanking Mrs.
M. r. NJ. Wallace, Mrs. Rexford, and
all the branches of the Association, for
their nd.
After good visit on the church lawn,
and another lunch in the church par
lors, the delegates were again called to
order for the evening session. 1.-THE
Tendencies of Religious Thought was
the topic for the evenings discussion.
In the absence of Rev. S. II. Acton,
Rev. Charles Conklin discussed its tend
ency Toward Liberty" He was sure
that religious thought would be even
more free in the future than at present.
as the general cry was more light"
Rev. Florence E. KOllOck closed the
evening with paper on the tendency
Toward Permanence, which was very
acceptable to all hearers, indeed very
strong and able paper.
The attendance at the third and last
days session was fully as large as on
the preceding days The business
meeting of the council was called to
order at $50 A. NJ. The following res
OlutiOn was unanimously adopted
Whereas: This Association has learn
ed, with deep sorrow, Of the death of Br.
S. o. Simonds, of Joliet, late president
of the Association, good and true man,
and faithful mem Der OF our denomina
ton. Born N poverty, and in all his earlier
life enjoying only the most limited social
and educational advantages, he raised
himself by habits OF studious industry
and strict integrity to an honorable and
Influential position in the community.
By unaffected devouiness and unim-
peachable morality, he brought strength
and honor TO the church Of his love;
therefore,
ResolUed: That We tender to his fam
lily the assurance Of our sympathy, and